While it’s a natural impulse to refrigerate all your food, it’s not necessary for all of them! Learn more about what foods prefer your pantry rather than your refrigerator.

TomatoesThis may be a surprise to some, but tomatoes don’t belong in the refrigerator! They prefer hot rather than cold temperatures and when stored in the fridge, they become mealy. Instead, store them on the counter away from the sun for optimal flavor and texture.

OnionsA dry and well ventilated environment is key if you want your onions to last fresher longer, which is why the fridge is the last place onions should be stored, otherwise they spoil and become mush. Also remember NOT to store them next to potatoes (it must’ve been something they said).

PotatoesSpeaking of which, potatoes are also happy in cool, dry environments. The issue with cold temperatures is that they break down the starch found in potatoes and convert them in to sugar, which affects both taste and texture. And much like onions, store them some place with good ventilation.

HoneyIf you store honey in your fridge, take it out. As mentioned in a previous blog post, it never spoils so it would do just fine in your pantry. When stored in the fridge, honey thickens up and becomes very difficult to use.

GarlicMuch like everything else on this list, storing garlic in room temperature has a lot to do with preserving taste and texture. Instead of keeping them in the fridge, keep them some place cool and dry for longer lasting flavor.

BasilStoring basil in the fridge typically results in sad looking, wilted leaves. It’s best to treat basil like flowers. Trim the stems and store a bunch of basil in a cup or jar of water on your counter while loosely covered with a plastic bag.

BreadIf you think the fridge will keep your bread fresher for longer, think again. Bread apparently goes stale six times faster in there than it does at room temperature. However, some people run into the issue of moldy bread when kept on the counter for too long. Which is the bigger problem for you?